Description
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the southeastern United States in late August 2005. The hurricane and its aftermath claimed more than 1,800 lives, and it ranked as the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
One year after the August 2005 disaster that forever changed New Orleans, acclaimed director Spike Lee presented the Peabody Award winning documentary “When the Levees Broke” that recounts Hurricane Katrina through words and images. The film tells the personal stories of survivors while also exploring the pronounced divide along race and class lines in the areas devastated by Katrina and the response of the United States government.
Lee uses the tragic events around the storm as an occasion to consider the continued significance of race and class in the United States, particularly in New Orleans, one of the poorest metropolitan areas in the United States in 2005.
As we approach the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we should continue to focus our efforts to eradicate the social injustice that he sacrificed his life for.
PARENTS: This is not a work of fiction. It is a documentary using actual footage from New Orleans immediately following Hurricane Katrina. There are scenes that depict the suffering in the aftermath of the storm, and can be very emotional. Please view the trailer prior to granting permission for your student. You can view the trailer at https://mubi.com/films/when-the-levees-broke/trailer.
This activity is recommended for High Schoolers and up; parents, please use your discretion when granting permission for your student.
It is highly recommended that parents attend this learning with students to help facilitate the process of navigating through thoughts and feelings that will come up. These activities also lend to opportunities to have family discussion around tough topics.
Themes discussed:
- Poverty and class
- The cycles of racism and poverty
- Health and wealth disparities
- Marginalized groups
Parents will need to complete the parent/guardian permission slip below.
Volunteer Registration Form (Parent/Guardian Permission Slip)
Please complete this permission slip. Completion of this form is required by all parents.
How to earn community service hours (SSL):
Students can earn two (2) SSL hours for participation in the viewing, with an additional (1) hour given if the student writes and submits reflections following the movie.
Privacy:
Please, do not share any pictures or likeness of the students as well as personal information such as home address, email or phone number etc. in your paper. Also, please do not include any real-life pictures or images of yourself. We ask that students include their first name, grade and school only on each submission.
Please note:
- A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.
- Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.
- Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.
- The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.
- Virtual sessions will not be recorded.
- Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.
- Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status.
Contact Us: themorningaftercenter@gmail.com
